What is a tennis volley?

February 2025

The tennis volley is one of the most essential skills for dominating the net and finishing points efficiently. Yet, many amateur players struggle with consistency, often mis-hitting or lacking confidence in their execution.

If you’ve ever felt stuck at the net, unsure of how to control the pace and direction of your volleys, you’re not alone. But mastering the tennis volley doesn’t require overwhelming power. It’s about precision, control, and positioning.

Understanding the tennis volley

A volley is a shot executed before the ball bounces, typically played near the net to cut off an opponent’s groundstroke. Unlike baseline rallies, which require power and endurance, volleys demand finesse, quick reflexes, and impeccable timing.

When executed correctly, they can put your opponent under immediate pressure and force an error or a weak return.

Why many players struggle with volleys

Many amateur players rely too heavily on their baseline game and avoid coming to the net, fearing they’ll miss the volley or be passed. Common struggles include:

Poor Hand-Eye Coordination: Mistiming the ball due to lack of precision
Excessive Swinging: A volley requires a short, controlled punch rather than a full swing
Incorrect Positioning: Standing too far from the net or in an awkward stance reduces effectiveness
Weak Grip Pressure: Holding the racket too tightly can lead to stiff, inaccurate shots.

If these sound familiar, the good news is that small, targeted adjustments can transform your volley into a formidable weapon.

Fundamentals of a perfect volley

Grip and racket angle

The continental grip is the gold standard for volleys, allowing versatility for both forehand and backhand shots. To find it, hold the racket as if you were shaking hands with it. This grip provides control without excessive wrist movement.

Your racket face should be slightly open, ensuring the ball clears the net with controlled backspin. A closed face often results in the ball dumping into the net, while an overly open face sends it sailing long.

Footwork and positioning

Your positioning at the net is crucial. Stand roughly one step inside the service box, ready to move forward or backward depending on your opponent’s shot.

When preparing for a volley:

Keep your knees slightly bent for balance and quick adjustments.
Stay on the balls of your feet, never flat-footed.
Maintain a split-step stance before your opponent makes contact with the ball. This allows you to react instantly.

Short, controlled swing

Unlike groundstrokes, volleys require minimal backswing. The motion should be compact and controlled, think of a firm punch rather than a long stroke. Over-swinging is one of the most common mistakes, leading to mishits and loss of control.

Soft hands for touch, firm hands for punch

Different volley situations call for varied hand pressure. If you need to absorb pace and drop the ball short, keep your grip relaxed. When attacking, firm up your grip and drive the ball forward with a controlled punch.

Reading your opponent’s shots

Great volley players anticipate their opponent’s next move. Watch their racket angle and body positioning to predict the incoming shot. React accordingly. If they’re stretched wide, prepare for a soft floating return that you can put away aggressively.

Advanced Volley Techniques

Punch volley

A staple for finishing points, the punch tennis volley is an assertive shot where you push the ball forward with a controlled, firm motion. It’s ideal when facing incoming pace from your opponent.

Drop volley

This finesse shot requires soft hands, absorbing the ball’s energy to make it land short. It’s perfect for catching an opponent off-guard, especially when they’re deep behind the baseline.

Half-volley

Sometimes, you won’t have time to take the ball in the air, and it’ll reach you right after bouncing. In these moments, use a half-volley, a controlled block just above the court surface, to keep the rally alive.

Angle volley

By angling the racket face slightly, you can redirect the ball sharply across the court, forcing your opponent out of position. The angle volley is especially effective in doubles play.

Volley like a pro

Wall drills

Practicing volleys against a wall helps build control and consistency. Stand close and focus on keeping the ball in play with minimal backswing.

Hand-fed drills

Have a coach, partner or ball machine, feed balls directly to your volley position. Focus on quick reactions and controlled movement.

Transition drills

Work on approaching the net from the baseline with split steps, followed by a volley. This helps reinforce movement and positioning.

Doubles play

Since doubles matches require frequent net play, participating in them can boost your volley instincts and reactions.